With Saturday featuring Argentina’s must-win World Cup qualifier at home to Peru, the AFA have brought forward most of the eighth round of the 2009 Torneo Apertura, rather than opt for a two-week gap between matches. River Plate confirmed on Tuesday that former defensive lynchpin and title-winning boss Leonardo Astrada is their new manager, and he’ll take charge of the clásico against Independiente on Sunday, but all the other matches will be played between now and Friday evening. Racing host Boca on Thursday evening, and champions Vélez are at home to second placed Argentinos.
All kick off times are local. Add four hours for British Summer Time.
Primera División Torneo Apertura 2009, eighth round:
Tigre vs Huracán (Weds, 17:00)
Banfield vs Atlético Tucumán (Weds, 19:10)
Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba vs Newell’s Old Boys (Weds, 21:15)
Colón vs Arsenal Fútbol Club (Thurs, 17:00)
Vélez Sársfield vs Argentinos Juniors (Thurs, 19:10)
Racing Club vs Boca Juniors (Thurs, 21:15)
Chacarita Juniors vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (Fri, 15:50)
Rosario Central vs Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (Fri, 19:10)
Estudiantes de La Plata vs Lanús (Fri, 21:15)
River Plate vs Independiente (Sun, 17:00)
Hasta El Gol Siempre 
Argentina needs to win. Maradona is an idiot. Grondona needs to go.. These two men have ruined AFA. Be careful of Peru.
Bobbygee – seriously, last warning with the URL. I like your comments but having to edit them every time you post one before it can show on the site is getting very tiresome.
It goes in the box marked ‘website URL’ when you’re writing a comment. If it’s the body of the text, it’s spam.
Gano Boca! both defenses were pretty weak, great game by Roman.